A comparison of engines

The new Chevy Silverado 1500 gives Hershey, PA buyers four muscular engine choices including a turbocharged four-cylinder, a pair of V-8s, and a Duramax® diesel 3.0-liter inline-six. The 6.2-liter V-8 generates 420 horsepower while the 5.3-liter V8 is good for 355 horsepower. The turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder delivers 310 horsepower, and the diesel can develop 277 horsepower. The Silverado's handling is surprisingly agile, and the brake pedal provides firm feedback. If you're looking for a more rugged half-ton Silverado, you'll appreciate the Trail Boss. It comes with  a 2.0-inch lift, beefy tires, and other upgrades that make off-roading easier and more fun.

The Ford F-150 lets you select a twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 with 325 horsepower, a 5.0-liter V8 with 400 horsepower, a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 with 400 horsepower and a 430-horsepower hybrid powertrain that combines a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6 and a 47-horsepower electric motor so both give you a lot of very good powertrains to choose from. But the Chevy Silverado wins in terms of agility and handling.

A comparison of bed sizes

The Chevy Silverado bed is wider and taller than the one you'd get with the Ford F-150. While both offer multiple bed lengths, the Silverado's standard bed at 6-feet-7 inches is 71.4 inches wide, which is a lot more than the F-150's standard bed, which is only 50.6 inches wide. That means you'll have more room to haul whatever you need around Harrisburg, PA. In fact, the Chevy Silverado 1500 has the most cargo volume in the full-size pickup class. The Chevy Silverado gives you 89.1 cubic feet while the Ford F-150 has only 77.4 cubic feet. That's a major difference that can have a significant impact on your productivity.